School meals in the U.S. support 30 million students daily, improving nutrition, academic outcomes, and food security, particularly for disadvantaged households. A recent study led by Juliana Cohen at Merrimack College and Harvard University, in collaboration with the Nutrition Policy Institute and other researchers, surveyed 403 Massachusetts parents of varying income levels during the 2022-2023 school year to understand their perception of a statewide universal free school meals policy. Results showed that 75% of parents, regardless of income, supported the policy and recognized its many benefits, including reduced stress, and saving time and money. Parents also expressed concerns that ending the policy would have negative impacts, including: 1) financial strain on households of all income levels; 2) less food security for families who were eligible for federally funded free or reduced-price meals as well as for students from families who were financially vulnerable even though they would not typically qualify for free or reduced-price meals; and 3) reduced school meal participation for the most financially vulnerable students. Researchers recommend considering expanding universal free school meal policies to additional states and at the national level, as such policies improve access to nutrition across all income groups and promote equity, especially in areas of higher living costs. This study was conducted by Christina Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Dania Orta-Aleman, Lorrene Ritchie, Monica Zuercher, and Wendi Gosliner with the Nutrition Policy Institute; Juliana Cohen with Merrimack College and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Leah Chapman with Merrimack College; Deborah Olarte with New York University; Leran Minc with Project Bread; Punam Ohri-Vachaspati with Arizona State University; Anisha Patel with Stanford University School of Medicine; and Michele Polacsek with the University of New England.